Add text to videos online

Yes, making a great video is a lot about the quality of visuals – the lighting, the framing, the emotions that they spark. However, the smart use of text can easily take a video from good to great as well. This is especially true for short-form videos.

At ChopChop, our focus has always been on how easily you can build your narrative, and one of the bedrocks of that is the use of text.

Let’s split this into two broad categories.

  1. Text that plays out between video clips – such as video titles, section breaks in listicles, or even simple descriptions that play out on top of images.
  2. Text that plays out as an overlay on video clips – whether these are name or location tags, full-frame text overlays or even simple bullet points that pop up to emphasize a point you’re making.

In this blog, we’ll go a little deeper into the first category.

To add text blocks to your story is super simple on ChopChop.

How to add text to videos on ChopChop

Step 1: Select A Block

Use different types of blocks on ChopChop

When you click the add card button on the storyboard, you’ll see many options to add text – from titles to descriptions and other special cards.

Step 2: Fill A Form

Fill simple forms to create videos on ChopChop

Once you’ve selected the card, you just need to fill a simple form. Add text, choose image, done.

Step 3: Emphasise

Use title blocks for impact on ChopChop

In case you want, you can use the Rich Text Editor to change the colours of a single word or phrase to add emphasis. Save card once done.

These steps are valid for all of the blocks you’ll find on the ChopChop Add Block page. Now comes the important part: how to you use text for maximum impact.

How to use text for maximum impact

1. Smart titles to connect with your audience

I think we all agree that titles or headlines are very important when it comes to storytelling of any kind. The headline in your video is the place where you can really make a connection with your audience.

This might be through an inside joke, the kind of language you use or just being specific about what your audience will get out of watching the video.

2. Provide context

While visuals can speak a thousand words, the advantage of text is that it can convey or emphasise exactly what you want. Provide a little context at different points in your story by using our descriptive blocks.

One little piece of advice… avoid the temptation to overuse these. Think of these exactly like bread-and-butter cards. Very useful when you use them sparingly, but too much text and your video will start looking bland.

3. Call out the highpoints

Think of the turning point in your story. For example, you start with a problem your consumers are facing. After this, you’ll introduce your product which solves the problem.

Right in the middle is where you can create a highpoint with the smart use of text – think of it almost like a drum roll.

4. Provide clarity

Now, there are times when you know your story is a little complicated, or you want to just reiterate a set of points you’re making. The use of bullet points can’t be overstated when it comes to making sure your message is being conveyed correctly to your audience.

Bullet points can be a really useful, versatile storytelling device… you can use it to set the context or expectations for your story, or to wrap it up, or even just as a spine that holds the story together.

5. Use of numbers

The use of text in videos extends to how you present your data as well. On ChopChop, you can choose from a library of bar charts, pie charts, tables, and much more to create animated data overlays with zero editing or design experience.

Just choose a block you like, input the data in a form (or copy-paste from excel/ sheets) and you have a stunning, informative visual ready to go.